1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of tool- and drill-bits and, more particularly, this invention relates to bits adapted for use with a magnetic chuck.
2. Background of the Invention
Iron bits can be used with a magnetic chuck. But such bits are ill-suited when certain properties concerning hardness, resistance to corrosion, or tolerance to high temperatures are required. For these situations carbide, zinc, and stainless steel are much preferable. Yet presently, such bits cannot take advantage of devices which have magnetic chucks. Magnetic chucks present many advantages, especially quick bit engagement and release.
Magnetic means for securing driver-bits are described in several U.S. patents. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 2,471,764 to Miller et al. (Jan. 31, 1946) discloses a driver tool wherein driver bits and other objects are magnetically confined in tubes that are attached to a handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,097 to Rocca (May 15,1984) discloses a driver tool with a similar construction.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,115 to Liu (Dec. 23, 2003) discloses a driver tool with a magnetic chuck.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,509 to Shiao (Feb. 21, 2006) discloses a driver tool wherein a plurality of driver bits are magnetically confined in a cassette comprising a plurality of angularly disposed storage chambers. In all of these inventions, the bits magnetically confined are limited to ferrous bits.
A need exists in the art for non-ferrous bits that can be utilized in conjunction with a magnetic chuck and for a method that would modify non-ferrous bits so that they can be utilized in conjunction with magnetic chucks. The method should enable the magnetic utilization of items containing non-ferrous materials and the utilization of popular non-ferrous materials, such as zinc and carbides, for use as magnetic drill bits, screw-driver tips, sockets, and other fastener engagement tools.
An object of this invention is to provide a magnetizable component for a non-ferrous bit and a method for magnetizing a component of a non-ferrous bit that overcome many of the disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-ferrous bit that responds to a magnetic force. A feature of this invention is a component attached to the bit that is magnetizable. An advantage of this invention is that it allows an operator to use a magnetic chuck with such a bit.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method for the manufacture of non-ferrous bits which ultimately can be used with a magnetic chuck. A feature of this invention is that the method can be applied to a wide variety of non-ferrous bits. An advantage of this invention is that it allows the use of non-ferrous bits that have especially desirable properties in conjunction with a magnetic chuck.
In brief, this invention provides attachments to non-ferrous bits so that they can be utilized in conjunction with a magnetic chuck.
Also provided is a method for modifying non-ferrous bits so that they can be utilized in conjunction with magnetic chucks. The materials utilized would be strongly attracted in a magnetic field, i.e materials with a strong magnetization, either inherent (permanent magnets) or induced (ferromagnetic materials).
The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, in which:
a is a schematic view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a non-ferrous bit that can be utilized in conjunction with a magnetic chuck, in accordance with features of this invention;
b is a schematic view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a non-ferrous bit that can be utilized in conjunction with a magnetic chuck, in accordance with features of this invention;
c is a schematic view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a non-ferrous bit that can be utilized in conjunction with a magnetic chuck, in accordance with features of this invention;
a is a schematic profile view of another alternative exemplary embodiment of a non-ferrous bit that can be utilized in conjunction with a magnetic chuck, in accordance with features of this invention;
b is a schematic view of a plurality of non-ferrous bits that can be utilized in conjunction with a magnetic chuck, in accordance with features of this invention;
a is a schematic profile view of an exemplary embodiment of an attachment for a non-ferrous bit that can be utilized in conjunction with a magnetic chuck, in accordance with features of this invention;
b is a schematic profile view of another exemplary embodiment of an attachment for a non-ferrous bit that can be utilized in conjunction with a magnetic chuck, in accordance with features of this invention;
This invention provides a device attached to a non-ferrous bit allowing that bit to be used in conjunction with a magnetic chuck. Also, this invention provides a method for adapting non-ferrous bits for use with a magnetic chuck. The invented device comprises material that is attracted by a magnetic field, i.e. material with a strong magnetization. Thus, the material is either a permanent magnet or ferrous material in which magnetization is induced when it is placed in close spatial relationship to a magnetic field so as to contact the lines of flux of the field. Where the material is a permanent magnet, the lines of magnetic flux extend substantially along a longitudinal axis of the bit
The device 10 can be inserted in a drill bit, a tool bit or some other fastener engaging device. Typically, the bit 30 comprises a cylindrically shaped body 35 (such as a shaft) or some other bulk configuration adapted to receive the device. A proximal end 20 of the bit defines a heel defining either a circular or a non-circular (e. g. polygonal) cross-section. In
The proximal end 20 of the bit is received in a magnetic chuck 60 which forms a socket 62. This chuck may comprise a permanent magnet or a magnetizable material wherein magnetization is induced by an electric current, or by a current carrying coil. The chuck may also comprise a ball detente mechanism, in which case the body 35 of the bit comprises a groove (not shown) adapted to be engaged by the ball detente mechanism. Where the body 35 has a circular cross-section, the body surface may be knurled or may comprise wings projecting radially therefrom.
a illustrates another embodiment wherein the invented device 10 comprises a rectangular slab 46. Optionally the device may comprise a head (not shown) analogous to the head 42 on the device shown in
b illustrates one such variation wherein the invented device 10 comprises a wedge-shaped insert 47. Again, optionally the device may comprise a head (not shown) analogous to the head 42 on the device shown in
Alternatively, the channel 22 can extend axially, so that the body 35 slidably receives the device 10 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis α.
c illustrates yet another variation wherein the invented device 10 comprises an x-shaped insert 48. Again, optionally the device may comprise a head (not shown) analogous to the head 42 on the device shown in
a illustrates yet another embodiment wherein the invented device comprises a sleeve 58 adapted to slidably receive the bit 30. The heel 20 of the bit 30 has been inserted such that the longitudinal axis of the bit is coaxially arranged with the sleeve 58. The sleeve 58 defines an inner surface 50 that matches the cross-section of the bit 30 and an outer surface 52 that matches the cross-section of a socket 62 and/or of the magnetic chuck 60 as depicted in
The embodiment depicted in
Fabrication Details.
A variety of means may be employed to attach the invented device 10 to a bit or to a shaft. For all three of the embodiments described in
Alternatively, for these and other embodiments, a reversible attachment may be effected, and by a variety of means. For instance,
Similarly, in the sleeve embodiment depicted in
Additional means of attachment of ferrous substrates to a nonferrous bit are depicted in
In one embodiment of the invention, the tack confers ferrous characteristics to a non-ferrous bit when the tack is frictionally, removably received by the heel 20 of the bit. To accommodate frictional retention of the tack to the bit, the bit defines an axially extending channel or tunnel, slightly smaller in inner diameter than the outer diameter of the shaft 75 of the tack. Alternatively, or in addition to frictional engagement, the tack is held in place with adhesive whereby fastens the shaft 75 of the tack to inside walls of the bit defining the axially extending chamber accepting the shaft. The heretofore described tack-bit configuration combines ferrous material with a nonferrous bit to confer magnetization characteristics to the bit.
In instances where the bulk of the bit is such that the ferrous material contained in a typical thumb tack will not confer magnetization characteristics to the bulk of the bit, the bit is first mated with a ferrous substrate 91 (as seen in
Instead of using a tack, an embodiment of the invention disclosed by
Permanent magnets fabricated using a variety of metals, e.g. Neodymium or Iron, and compounds, e.g. Alnico, Mumetal (an alloy of ca. 25% iron, 75% nickel, and small proportions of other elements) and compounds of rare earth elements, including Samarium-Cobalt and Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NIB) are available commercially in sizes and configurations suitable for all of the embodiments described supra.
Ferromagnetic materials include Nickel, Cobalt, iron, and a variety of compounds and alloys.
Finally, the invented magnetic insert adapted to be received in a shaft can be used in conjunction not only with metallic shafts but also with shafts fabricated from a broad variety of materials including, but not limited to, plastics, nylon, fiberglass, ceramics, etc. . . . Also, the invented insert may be used in conjunction with a myriad other implements in addition to shafts.
While the invention has been described in the foregoing with reference to details of the illustrated embodiments, these details are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
This is a Continuation-In-Part application of application Ser. No. 11/528,725 filed on Sep. 27, 2006 now pending.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11528725 | Sep 2006 | US |
Child | 11862011 | Sep 2007 | US |